Should the Government end Rent Pressure Zones - and what would replace them?

Housing researcher Michael Byrne on the Government's contradictory housing goals

Listen | 49:32

The Government faces a big challenge to meet different and sometimes contradictory housing goals.  Photograph: iStock
The Government faces a big challenge to meet different and sometimes contradictory housing goals. Photograph: iStock

Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s recent signalling of a possible policy shift regarding Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) has put housing policy back in the spotlight.

On today’s Inside Politics podcast host Hugh Linehan discusses the evolving housing policy landscape with Michael Byrne, a housing researcher at UCD.

Michael explains the limitations and impacts of RPZs on affordability and supply, and alternative systems of rent control that might replace it.

They also discuss the growing role of institutional landlords and the complex tradeoffs involved in addressing supply, affordability, and rates of homeownership.

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Michael Byrne is a lecturer in political economy at UCD’s School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice and the author of The Week in Housing blog on Substack.